Frame Dividing Insert

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a frame divider, which is used to provide an existing frame with the capability to increase the number of frame openings using spline members. The present invention comprises a frame insert, a plurality of frame openings and either a spline member or a plurality of spline members. The frame insert comprises an insert opening, an inner edge and an outer edge. These spline members comprise a plurality of spline ends which are affixed to the inner edge of the frame insert. The spline members can be linear, nonlinear or a combination of both. The frame openings are delineated by the spline members and the inner edge. The present invention is applied to an existing frame by being inserted into the rabbet of the frame. The arrangement of the spline members should be customizable to a user.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/514,394 filed on Aug. 2, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to frame dividers. More particularly, the objective of the present invention is to increase the amount of frame openings an existing frame comprises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many frames comprise mullions or splines to provide a frame with multiple frame openings by intersecting an open space within a frame. However, it is typical for these intersecting pieces, or frame dividers, to be rigidly fixed to the frame and unable to be reconfigured. In some instances, it may be desired to customize the frame structurally to meet a set of specifications and, in turn, provide additional functionalities to the frame. The present invention introduces an insert that can be affixed to the back, inside channel or rabbet of a frame to give the frame a multi-opening appearance and functionality by supplementing such an insert with mullions or splines. These mullions or splines would be attached to the insert. The present invention converts a single open frame into a multi-open frame, permitting display of multiple pieces of artwork, photographs or other materials. The inserts could be used to give a single opening frame multiple uses or looks for various sizes of openings in different arrangements by changing the arrangement of the mullions or splines. The insert can also function as a combination matt and mullion/spline. The insert can facilitate anchoring or securing pictures inside the various openings of the new multi-open frame. The insert and the mullions/splines can be of a similar material at the frame itself, giving the multi-open frame the look of an integrated, common material, or the insert may be of a different material from the frame itself a contrasting look. The object of the present invention is to provide a frame with multiple frame openings, while also allowing a custom arrangement of splines or mullions to meet a user's specification. The insert may be affixed by staples, glues or any other adhering methods or stand alone, permitting later changes with additional inserts. The insert may give the frame added strength and durability. Inserts, along with its mullions or splines, could be of different configurations allowing displays of different types of collages or other assemblages and could be used separately to convert old frames into new uses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame insert.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a horizontal spline member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a nonlinear spline member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing a horizontal spline member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing a cross-shaped spline member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing a triangular spline member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing a nonlinear spline member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing two vertical spline members.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing two nonlinear spline members.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a common frame.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a common frame.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing it installed into a common frame.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the present invention, showing it installed into a common frame.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing a corrugated edge.

FIG. 15 is a right side view of the present invention, showing a corrugated edge.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As is shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 13, the present invention is a frame divider that provides a frame, new or existing, with additional frame openings 7. The frame is any structure than encloses an open space used to view an object within the frame opening 7 or to allow light to pass through in general. The housing that allows light to pass through is defined as a frame opening 7. A spline is assumed to function similarly to a mullion, in which each can be applied to the present invention because each a mullion and a spline are used to divide or separate the opening of a frame.

As is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the present invention applies a method of using both linearly and nonlinearly shaped mullions and splines to increase the amount of frame openings 7 that a frame comprises. Such a method allows optimal flexibility and customization of a frame to a user. The present invention comprises a frame insert 1, a spline member 3 and a plurality of frame openings 7. The spline member 3 comprises a plurality of spline ends 4. A spline member 3 is shaped such that it can be either linear, nonlinear, or a combination of both. For example, if the spline member 3 was oriented to follow a horizontal path (linear), then a first spline end 4 would be positioned at the beginning of this horizontal path in which a second spline end 4 would be positioned at the end of the horizontal path, opposite of the first spline end 4; and example of a horizontal spline member 3 is shown in FIG. 2. If the spline member 3 is nonlinear, the configuration of a spline end 4 remains the same; although, the orientation as aforementioned spline ends 4 may be dissimilar. An example of a nonlinear spline member 3 is shown in FIG. 3.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the frame insert 1 comprises an insert opening 2, an inner edge 5, an outer edge 6. However, the frame insert may also comprise a plurality of adhesive strips 8, if necessary—the positioning of the adhesive strips 8 is dependent on the configuration of the spline member 3 being used. The inner edge 5 is positioned opposite to the outer edge 6. The insert opening 2 is positioned concentrically within the frame insert 1 and should be delineated by the inner edge 5. This provides an initial opening which the spline members 3 can intersect to provide the frame insert 1 with the plurality of frame openings 7. Each of the plurality of frame openings 7 should be delineated by a spline member 3 and the inner edge 5. Each spline end 4 is affixed or adhered to the inner edge. If the adhesive strips 8 are to be used, each spline end 4 should be adhered or affixed to an adhesive strip 8, and the adhesive strip 8 should be then adhered or affixed to the inner edge 5. The adhesive strip 8 should create a semi-permanent bond between the spline end 4 and the frame insert 1. This bond should only be able to be broken if it is necessary to change the configuration or orientation of the spline members 3 within the frame insert 1. Ultimately, each spline member 3 is housed by the frame insert 1. However, the present invention does not need to utilize adhesive strips 8 and the spline members 3 can be adhered or affixed to the frame insert 1 through any similarly effective methods.

The orientation and positioning of spline member 3 within the frame insert 1 should be customizable. As is shown in FIG. 4-FIG. 7, the spline members 3 may form a horizontal, triangular, cross-shaped or wave-shaped frame divider. A frame insert 1 with a horizontal spline member 3 should comprise one spline member 3 with two spline ends 4, FIG. 4; although, a frame insert 1 with one spline member 3 that form the shape of a cross could comprise four spline ends 4, FIG. 5. Also, if the frame insert 1 comprises triangularly oriented spline members 3, then it could comprise one spline member 3, FIG. 6, yet three spline ends 4. A spline member 3 that is nonlinear behaves similarly to the aforementioned variations of frame insert 1, FIG. 7. Essentially, there should be a plurality of unique combinations that the spline member 3 can be configured within the frame insert 1.

As is shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of spline members 3. The present invention should function normally if more than one spline member 3 is affixed or adhered to the frame insert 1. The frame openings 7 should remain delineated by each spline member 3 and the inner edge 5.

The present invention is to be inserted within a frame opening 7. A rabbet 201 is typically positioned on a frame, along the border of its frame opening 7. Essentially, a rabbet 201 is a broad groove within the inner embodiment of a frame. Any frame with a rabbet 201 or similarly slotted compartment can apply the present invention. For example, a picture frame uses the rabbet 201 to provide a structure for the outer embodiment of a picture to be adhered; whereas, a window frame uses the rabbet 201 to allow a glass or a transparent structure to be attached so that light can pass through. The picture or transparent structure when adhered to the rabbet 201 becomes rigidly attached to the frame. An example of a frame with a rabbet 201 is shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. The present invention could be adhered or affixed to a rabbet 201 of a frame in a similar method as aforementioned with the picture frame and window frame. In order to install the present invention to a frame, the frame insert 1 of the present invention should be attached within the frame's rabbet 201. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer edge 6 should be enveloped by the rabbet 201 and the frame insert 1 should be partially housed by the frame. Conventionally, splines or mullions themselves can be affixed or adhered to the rabbet 201 of a common frame 101 which can cause unnecessary stresses on the frame; ultimately, this is undesired. The present invention should induce minimal or no stresses into the frame when it is installed because frame insert 1 should smoothly slide into the rabbet 201 with minimal interference. An example of a common frame 101 having the present invention installed, in which the common frame 101 comprises a spline member 3, is shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. The spline member 3 of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 increases the amount of frame openings 7 of the common frame 101 from one to four. The method of applying and installing the present invention to a frame is shown in FIG. 13; this shows an exploded view of the frame insert 1, the adhesive strips 8, the spline member 3 and a common frame 101. It is assumed that the embodiment of a frame that the present invention can be applied to is not limited to the common frame 101 shown in FIG. 10-FIG. 13. Also, as is shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the present invention may comprise a corrugated edge 9 in which assists in minimizing stress on the common frame 101. The corrugated edge 9 should envelop the outer edge 6. Stress is minimized because the corrugated edge 9 provides air pockets between the frame insert 1 and the rabbet 201. The air pockets form a cushion between the present invention and the rabbet 201. Therefore, these air pockets should absorb any resulting stress that the present invention might induce.

The present invention can also provide a frame with increased structural strength. Since the frame insert 1 is to be inserted into the rabbet 201 or inner channel of a frame, the frame should be able to bear elevated lateral stresses. This is possible because the frame insert 1 and the spline members 3 can serve as an inner truss. The compressive forces upon the outer embodiment of the frame could therefore be absorbed by the present invention, maintaining the rigidity of the frame that the present invention has been applied to.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A frame divider comprises, a frame insert; a plurality of spline members; a plurality of frame openings; the frame insert comprises an insert opening, an inner edge and an outer edge; each of the plurality of spline members comprises a plurality of spline ends; each of the plurality of spline member ends being affixed to the inner edge; and each of the plurality of frame openings being delineated by the each of the plurality of spline members and the inner edge.
 2. The frame divider as claimed in claim 1 comprises; the inner edge being positioned oppositely to the outer edge; the insert opening being positioned concentrically within the frame insert; and the inner edge enveloping the insert opening.
 3. The frame divider as claimed in claim 1 comprises, a plurality of adhesive strips; and a corrugated edge.
 4. The frame divider as claimed in claim 3 comprises, each of the plurality of spline ends being attached to the inner edge by each of the plurality of adhesive strips; and the outer edge being enveloped by the corrugated edge.
 5. The frame divider as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the plurality of spline members being housed by the frame insert.
 6. A frame divider comprises, a frame insert; a spline member; a plurality of frame openings; the frame insert comprises an insert opening, an inner edge and an outer edge; a spline member comprises a plurality of spline ends; each of the plurality of spline member ends being affixed to the inner edge; and each of the plurality of frame openings being delineated by the spline member and the inner edge.
 7. The frame divider as claimed in claim 6 comprises; the inner edge being positioned oppositely to the outer edge; the insert opening being positioned concentrically within the frame insert; and the inner edge enveloping the insert opening.
 8. The frame divider as claimed in claim 6 comprises, a plurality of adhesive strips; and a corrugated edge.
 9. The frame divider as claimed in claim 8 comprises, each of the plurality of spline ends being attached to the inner edge by each of the plurality of adhesive strips; and the outer edge being enveloped by the corrugated edge.
 10. The frame divider as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the spline member being housed by the frame insert.
 11. A frame divider comprises, a frame insert; a plurality of spline members; a plurality of frame openings; the frame insert comprises an insert opening, an inner edge and an outer edge; each of the plurality of spline members comprises a plurality of spline ends; each of the plurality of spline member ends being affixed to the inner edge; and each of the plurality of frame openings being delineated by the each of the plurality of spline members and the inner edge.
 12. The frame divider as claimed in claim 11 comprises; the inner edge being positioned oppositely to the outer edge; the insert opening being positioned concentrically within the frame insert; the inner edge enveloping the insert opening; and the plurality of spline members being housed by the frame insert.
 13. The frame divider as claimed in claim 11 comprises, a plurality of adhesive strips; a corrugated edge; each of the plurality of spline ends being attached to the inner edge by each of the plurality of adhesive strips; and the outer edge being enveloped by the corrugated edge. 